As rainy days become more frequent due to climate change, the threat of being flooded crosses our minds more. We are experiencing more intense storms, which means we need to wake up and protect each other.

First, according to AP News’s Flooding Safety Tips, we all need the correct gear such as raincoats, ponchos, umbrellas, and rain boots. Homeowners need to prioritize preparing for bad weather before a last-minute storm notification hits. Emergency preparedness includes families going over their houses’ layouts: What is the quickest way to exit? What is most important to grab on the way out? Which rooms are safest to stay in if evacuation is not possible? It is important that we all educate each other on how to stay safe in dangerous situations.

My good friend Josie Hanna has experienced the threat of storm water. In the 2016 flood, she lived in a trailer park in Asbury, West Virginia. “We used the bottom of our trailer for storage and everything underneath flooded. My mom carried me out of the house and we went to my friend’s house for two days,” she said. “My dad stayed behind at the trailer and I remember being so worried for him. When we arrived back to my trailer we couldn’t find my cat. I don’t know if she’s alive or not, but her name was Cattie.” 

Some people might argue that preparing for a flood too early is a financial waste, especially those who don’t have a lot to spend, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. People are often caught off guard by weather alerts when they could easily have taken some readiness steps, and in the long run, the benefits of being prepared outweigh small financial burdens now.

Readiness isn’t just a personal responsibility, either. Communities can also protect us by adding drains–or maintaining existing ones–to handle storm water more effectively. Imagine walking around without having to worry about stepping in a puddle on a rainy day!

Rainy days can be stressful, but they don’t have to be if you are equipped and prepared!